Top 3 Herbs for Healthy Teeth
Have you experienced a toothache before? And going to a dentist that understands you and your teeth is hard to find. And so, it happened. I had to know and try which herb helped and this is what I found. These 3 herbs have been known to support healthy teeth and gums. And using them, I was able to dodge going to the dentist several times.
1. Clove
When you think about toothache, clove is the first herb that comes to mind. Clove is a native to the Molucca islands and is one of the earliest spice traded and imported to Alexandria in 176 CE. It grows in warm climates and is used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Considered an aromatic spice usually used in Indian cooking and is cultivated in Tanzania, Sumatra and South America.
What is in a clove?
Have you bitten into a whole clove? There is a numbing effect when you bite into a whole clove. It is where most of the oils are though they also distill the stems and leaves for the oil. It contains an anti inflammatory chemical eugenol. This chemical inhibited COX-2, which is a protein that stimulates inflammation (drug Celebrex is COX-2 inhibitor). It is an antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal. Primary nutrients are calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, B complex, vitamins A and C.
How to use
The clove oil is a diffusive stimulant and disinfectant but can be too strong. Extracts are recommended by placing it in a cotton ball and lay next to the tooth between the gum and cheek. It can raise your body temperature and increase circulation, thus warming your hands and feet.
2. Cinnamon
First mentioned in the Jewish religious text, Torah, it is one of the world’s most ancient medicine and spice. In the bible, Moses was told to make a holy anointing oil with two different kinds of cinnamon. It has a long history in India and Southeast Asia and is thought to have arrived in Egypt around 200 B.C. which they used to flavor food and in the embalming process. In Chinese text, it was first written as far as 2700 B.C.
Get to know cinnamon
The methods of cultivation has been passed down for centuries and remains unchanged up to this day. They press the layers of the bark and dry them, which makes it curl to form sticks, called “cinnamon quills”. There are two main species that are commercially available. Cinnamomun cassia is native to Indonesia and is the most used. Cinnamomun verum commonly known as Ceylon cinnamon is grown in Sri Lanka and called “true” cinnamon.
Uses of cinnamon
Traditionally used for colds, flu, digestive problems like indigestion and gas. It has phenolic procyanidins acting as an antioxidant and aids in circulation, similar to grape seed and green tea. With research, they suggest that the bark helps prevent and treat type 2 diabetes by increasing the cell’s ability to respond to insulin and aids in the stabilization of blood sugar levels. Often used in desserts, cinnamon helps control blood sugar spikes.
Cinnamon makes an excellent mouthwash for oral thrush and the powder maintains healthy teeth and gums. It is sweet, acts as an astringent, nourishes and tones tissues. It is an antimicrobial and antiseptic, decreasing harmful bacteria levels in the mouth due to its volatile oil.
How to use
As a tooth powder, mix:
2 tbsp. cinnamon powder
1 tbsp. white oak bark powder
1 tsp. licorice root powder
Place in the gums for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water
Use 1 to 3 times a day.
3. Black Walnut
Not much research about black walnut for the teeth but Dr. John Christopher from the School of Natural Healing talks about it to strengthen and heal tooth enamel. It has organic, assimilable flouride. Black walnut is a rich source of potassium, magnesium, manganese, sulfur, copper, iodine and silica. In Rachel Weaver’s book “Be your own doctor”, she talks about how it helped a lot of people with recipes on how to use them. I tried it with my family and friends and it did help.
How to use
Mix equal parts of black walnut and white oak bark extract. Swish around mouth and teeth 2 to 3 times a day.
(Refer to next blog for recipe on how to make your own toothpaste)
